Daily Archives: September 14, 2022

Karachi

First humanitarian assistance flights from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & Nepal arrive at Jinnah Int’l Airport, Karachi

KARACHI: First humanitarian assistance flight from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia landed on Tuesday at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the consignment was received by Ambassador of KSA to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, KSA Consul General Bandar Fahad Al Dayel, in Karachi along with the representatives of Foreign Office and NDMA.

FO spokesperson said that the relief assistance from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is welcomed with warmth and gratitude.

Meanwhile first humanitarian assistance flight from Nepal landed on Tuesday at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

Ms Sewa Lamsal Joint Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal brought the relief assistance goods from Nepal for the flood affectees

The flight was received by Minister Social Welfare, Govt. of Sindh Sajid Jokhio, Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Tapas Adhikari along with the representatives of MoFA, NDMA. FO spokesperson said the relief assistance from Nepal is welcomed with warmth and gratitude.

Rawalpindi

Three Pakistani soldiers embrace martyred during exchange of fire with terrorists from inside Afghanistan’s border: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Three Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom during exchange of fire with terrorists from inside the Afghanistan’s borer in general area of Kharlachi, Kurram District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border, opened fire on Pakistani troops, who responded in a befitting manner. As per credible intelligence reports, due to fire of own troops, terrorists suffered heavy casualties.

Those who embraced martyrdom while fighting gallantly, include Naik Muhammad Rehman, resident of Karak; Naik Maweez Khan, resident of Jamrud, Khyber; and Sepoy Irfan Ullah, resident of Dargai, Malakand.

The statement said Pakistan strongly condemns use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities in future.

It said that Pakistan Army is determined to defend Pakistan’s borders against the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of brave soldiers further strengthen its resolve.

Karachi

You will have to come forward against feudal lords for your rights, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman tells flood affected people

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chief Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has visited the flood affected region in Sindh, including Thatta, Jharak are surrounding areas to inspect the arrangements by Alkhidmat for flood affected people, here on Tuesday.

During his interaction with the affected people, the JI leader assured them for all possible assistance and urged them to come forward against the feudal mindset and rulers for their due rights. On the occasion, he formally inaugurated a kitchen, a school for children, an educational institute for women and a seminary. He also visited a field hospital, offering services, including female doctors and staffers, to the flood affected people.

During the visit, he was approached by a bunch of the affected people who informed the JI leader that the deputy commissioner of Thatta refused them of any support because they belong to Sajawal, despite the fact that they were taking shelter in Thatta due to floods in their native village. In response, he directed the local team of Alkhidmat Thatta to pressurize the government to facilitate them and meanwhile setup a tent city along with medical facilities for them near the sugar mill in the area.

Talking to the media, Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the Sindh government, following the 18th constitutional amendment, has massive funds but the lack of political will resulted in the prevailing situation of the flood affected people. He also held the feudal mindset prevailing in Sindh responsible for the miseries of the affected people. He said that the ruling elite political class of the province lives in Islamabad and other big cities, while the local inhabitants were left behind to face one disaster after another with no facilities and infrastructure.

He urged the affected people to use their vote to change their fate. He strongly lambasted the elected representatives from the flood affected areas. The ruling elite of Sindh was plundering the resources and usurping the due rights of people in the province, he said.

The JI leader made it clear that the non governmental organizations are not a substitute for the government and said that the provincial and federal governments need to fulfill their duties.

Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman paid a rich tribute to the volunteers of the JI and Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan. He also urged the healthy people in camps to come forward and become volunteers for Alkhidmat for the benefit of their own communities. He also visited the Turkish Colony, Noor Foundation School and other areas to interact with the affected people.

Alkhidmat Karachi CEO Naveed Ali Baig, Secretary Information Zahid Askari, JI Thatta Chief Altaf Ahmed Mallah, Secretary Abdul Majeed Sammu and others were accompanying the JI leader.

Islamabad

CJ IHC Athar Minallah says intelligence officials will be called if ‘missing person’ named Haseeb Hamza not recovered by today

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday said intelligence officials would be summoned if officials fail to recover a “missing person” named Haseeb Hamza by till 11:30 AM today (Wednesday).

The court issued the directives while hearing a petition for the recovery of Haseeb Hamza, who reportedly went “missing” in August.

In the petition petitioner Zulfiqar Ali said his 27-year-old son Hamza was a farmer and was working in Layyah. The federation of Pakistan through the defence ministry secretary, the Military Intelligence (MI) director general and the interior ministry have been named the respondents in the case.

On the midnight of August 22 and 23, around 20 persons — 15 of whom were in black uniform — raided the petitioner’s house without any search warrant, the plea said. During the search, they apprehended the petitioner’s son, and seized several items, including five laptops, six cell phones and some documents.

“The circumstances suggest that the detenu is a victim of state-enforced disappearance. The petitioner ran pillar to post for the search of his son, however, no information [was] received from any corner of state organs,” the petition said.

The petition urged the court to direct the respondents to produce the detenu before the court. It also asked the court to identify and investigate those responsible, directly or indirectly, for abducting and illegally detaining the detenu while also prosecuting those responsible.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah presided over Tuesday’s hearing during which Islamabad IG Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan was present.

During the hearing, the Islamabad police chief said that a case had been registered regarding Hamza’s disappearance.

“This is intolerable, IG sahab,” the IHC CJ remarked. He went on to say that there was an earlier verdict regarding missing persons which held the IG and the officers concerned as responsible.

“The missing person should be presented before the court tomorrow at 10:00 AM. If that doesn’t happen, then we will call each and every [officer] and take action against them,” Justice Minallah said.

MI, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) all will be made to appear to give an explanation for the state’s failure, he said.

The IHC CJ asked the MI, ISI, IB, and Special Branch Sector Commanders to appear in court today (Wednesday) if the person is not recovered.

The person in question is missing since August 23 and the case is registered on September 12, the judge lamented.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court was placing its trust in the IG Islamabad. “The prime minister of Pakistan also appeared before this court in connection with a missing persons case,” he added.

The court adjourned the hearing till 11:30 AM today (Wednesday) while issuing directives to present the missing person. The IHC chief justice ordered that in failure of recovery of Haseeb Hamza, the chief commissioner Islamabad should also appear in court.

 

General

Central accused absconder of DHA City scandal, Kamran Kayani, brother of ex-COAS General (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani come to the fore after 8 years

LAHORE, ISLAMABAD: A central accused namely Kamran Kayani, brother of ex-chief of army staff General (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who remained fugitive in Defence Housing Society (DHA) City scandal, for last eight years, has come to the fore.

The accused easily secured pre-arrest bail from an accountability court in Lahore. He was allegedly accused of fraud amounting to Rs 15 billion. Surprisingly, the authorities of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) could not ensure the arrest of Kamran Kayani from the airport who was wanted in a big accountability case.

The accused returned back to the country and reached the court for getting bail while it didn’t came into knowledge of NAB.

The victims of DHA City expressed their concerns over the loss of their investment [if the same remains the attitude of relevant authorities].

According to a private TV channel, a central accused named Kamran Kayani, in Defence Housing Society (DHA) City scandal, returned back to Pakistan, after remaining fugitive for past eight years.

The accountability court granted him pre-arrest bail till September 15. The accused was ordered to deposit surety bond of worth Rs 0.1 million. He was ordered to be investigated and present before the court during every hearing.

The parties were issued notices for September 15. A notice was also sent to the NAB. The NAB authorities will present their view point before the court regarding investigation from the wanted accused and it is expected that the accused Kamran Kayani’s interim bail may be extended or made it permanent.

This question is being taken up that why the NAB couldn’t know about the arrival of the accused person. Was the period during which he came to airport, visited home, and then appeared before the court and got interim bail ignored. Was intelligence system of NAB so weak or there is something otherwise. Why didn’t any other investigation institution, present on the airport inform the government and NAB about the arrival of the accused.

On the other side, the victims of DHA City while expressing their concerns demanded that their hard-earned money be given back to them.

Meanwhile, according to the sources, a meeting was held at Lahore and at NAB Headquarters in Islamabad in connection with DHA City reference wherein legal aspects related to interim bail of Kamran Kayani were discussed. The discussions were also done on NAB’s possible view point on the matter.

Court News

Accountability court sends six references of rental power against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf & others back to NAB

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, former minister for finance Senator Shaukat Fayyaz Ahmed Tarin and former secretary Water and Power Shahid Rafi have received major relief from the accountability court.

An accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday sent six references of rental power against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others back to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after seven years.

According to details, Accountability Court Judge Syed Asghar Ali while giving orders to send the six references back to NAB, said that after amendments to the NAB law, trial of the rental power references cannot be carried out.

The accountability court gave verdict on NAB references filed against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Shaukat Tarin. In the references, there were accusations of irregularities against the accused. In the six references, 52 acccused had been nominated.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was nominated in five whereas Shaukat Tarin was nominated in two references. Shaukat Tarin was nominated as accused in Young Jin and Samundri Power Plant references.

According to the court orders, after amendments to the NAB laws, the references do not fall under the jurisdiction of the accountability court. The rental power references that had been ordered to send back include Reshma, Gulf, Samundari, Ratu Dero and Satyana.

Lahore

Army chief appointment should be made on seniority principle like SC chief justice, ending prime minister’s prerogative: Sirajul Haq

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Sirajul Haq has said the army chief appointment should be made on seniority principle like Supreme Court chief justice, ending prime minister’s prerogative.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sirajul Haq said liking and disliking element was natural when a person appointed another on key post. Expressing concern on politicizing the appointment of armed forces head by the PDM and the PTI, he said both sides interest displayed their interest in seeking establishment support for their future political programs. He advised the latter to stay away from politics, asking the political leadership not to drag the armed forces into political matters as well. Every institute, he said, should work within the limits defined in the constitution, the key to development.

The JI, he said, had decided to approach the court on inclusion of multiple taxes in electricity bills by the government. He said he had faith that the masses would get relief from the court. He said load shedding crisis was hitting hard the people despite the PML-N claims to produce 37,000MW electricity. He said the rulers were in a habit of cheating the masses. They were badly exposed now, he added.

Sirajul Haq said the federal and provincial governments’ reluctant response during floods again disappointed the masses. The governments, he said, should now at least display seriousness in rehabilitation process. He warned the rulers against corruption and mismanagement in distribution of aid among the people of flood affected areas. He said the rulers would not be able to face the wrath of masses this time if they repeated the episodes of 2010 floods and 2005 earthquake in distribution of aid.

He said Islamic system was the solution to problems of Pakistan. He said the government must abolish interest-based economy to put the country on track. He said the JI was struggling for rule of law. He sought the support of masses to transform Pakistan into Islamic welfare state.

Islamabad

President Alvi for fair & egalitarian distribution of science & technology’s benefits for humanity’s development

ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has stressed the need for ethical and morality-based research and development in biotechnology, agriculture and virology and fair and egalitarian distribution of its benefits to provide food security to the entire world without discrimination between rich and poor countries. He said that biotechnologies, like gene therapy, CRISPR and Case-9 could be used to understand the human genome as well as to recognize and cure genetic diseases, adding that scientific research and breakthroughs should be shared fairly with the rest of the world to overcome collective woes being faced by the humanity, such as disease, poverty, and food security.

President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session of the Kazakhstan-Pakistan-Turkiye Youth Forum on Biotechnology, at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad on Tuesday. The inaugural session was attended by members of the scientific and diplomatic community from Iraq, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Morocco, Russia, Jordan and Pakistan, whereas over 800 participants from 35 countries joined the event virtually.

Addressing the ceremony, the President said that the applications of biotechnology in genome editing, new breeding technologies, large-scale genomics and genomic selection in crop and livestock breeding, speed breeding for rapid genetic gain and Nanotechnology for Agriculture Applications were affecting many sectors, especially food and agriculture, and could be used to achieve food security and end world hunger. He said that our leadership needed to giveaway linear thinking patterns and put their country on the exponential growth trajectory to remain relevant in the fast-changing world by adopting Artificial Intelligence technology in an ethical manner and preparing their societies to willingly embrace emerging new technologies for making exponential growth. He said that although the entire Muslim world had a large land area, however, either this land remained unutilized or the agriculture yield was very low compared to the developed world. This, he said, had resulted in incidents of food insecurity and consequential political and economic unrest and societal tension. He argued that by developing disease-resistant high-yield crop varieties having the ability to adapt to any given environment, and promoting vertical and hydroponic farming, we can meet the needs of our people and the rest of the world in compliance with Islamic ethical and moral values based upon solidarity and compassion. He said that the Muslim world should take intellect-driven right decisions at the right time with the passion to set the direction right for their people. He argued that the Muslim world should be the first to adopt existing knowledge, generate new knowledge and bring innovation and advancement in every sector to cater to the needs of our present and coming generations.

President Dr. Arif Alvi observed that we needed to take collective and effective steps to increase the allocation of funds for biotechnology research and development to become an active player and beneficiary of the global agriculture biotechnology market which was anticipated to reach a market value of US$775 billion by 2024 with an annual growth rate of 7.7%. The President said that the Muslim world, during its glory, considered knowledge as a blessing and creation of Allah and shared it with the rest of the world without limitation of copyrights. He said that copyrighting knowledge was like the neo-colonization of precious resources and called upon the young scientists to lead the way to create ethical and morality-based new knowledge with passion and distribute it freely for the benefit of entire mankind.

President Dr. Arif Alvi underscored that science had provided valuable tools for discerning between facts and mere conjectures. He said that human biases could be overcome by properly analyzing and utilizing the existing data, however, there was a need to take special care to avoid the incorporation of human biases, such as racial biases, in AI-based solutions. The President appreciated the management of COMSTECH for playing a leading role in the promotion of science and technology-based economic development in the OIC region and hoped that the Youth Forum will further contribute to the adoption of the latest biotechnological advancements in its member countries.

Earlier, Sami Sedar CEO of the Young Business Hub, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum from Turkiye while explaining the aims and objectives of the Youth Forum of Biotechnology said that the Youth Forum was aimed at creating a bridge between young scientists of member countries for sharing of their expertise and knowledge.

Islamabad

Benazir Income Support Programme focusing on building human capital of most vulnerable segments of society: Shazia Marri

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly of Pakistan and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services organized a seminar in Islamabad on Tuesday for Asia Pacific Region Parliaments on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety/Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme, Ms. Shazia Atta Marri was invited as a Guest Speaker in the seminar. The main purpose of the event was to focus on understanding the way hunger is impacting different segments of society in addition to deliberating on strategies and best practices used world over to overcome hunger and malnutrition on priority basis.

While addressing the seminar, Shazia Marri said that Benazir Income Support Programme as the largest social protection program of the country focuses on building human capital of most vulnerable segments of the society by investing in their education, health and Nutrition. Through Conditional Cash Transfer program in the field of education, BISP is helping children of vulnerable families to complete their education focusing more on girl’s education through higher incentives to reduce the gender enrolment gap, she added.

Furthermore Chairperson BISP apprised that over 40% children are stunted in Pakistan. To address this stunting prevention and promote dietary diversity during first 1000 days, Benazir Income Support Programme is implementing Benazir Nashonama – a Conditional Cash Transfer program to improve health and nutrition in the country. She said that the specialized nutritious food is being provided along with immunization and awareness sessions to prevent stunting in future generations.

Federal Minister said that Pakistan is confronted by many challenges including the recent unprecedented rainfalls of 2022 resulting in catastrophic floods. These devastating floods have displaced more than 33 million people in Pakistan and almost 1,347 people have died as a result of this catastrophe. Despite unusual circumstances BISP has so far disbursed over 24 billion rupees among flood affected families in a short span of time, she added.

At the end, Shazia Marri urged that it is time for us to work in solidarity in order to combat with climate challenges and crisis. Our Parliaments must continue to engage and strategize ways to become climate resilient and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Islamabad

Imran Khan’s real problem was his personal ego, arrogance, self-righteousness, lust for power & corruption: Marriyum Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday castigating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan said that he was unable to see the country and people submerged in floods as he only wanted to see himself back in power.

In a statement, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Imran Khan’s real problem was his personal ego, arrogance, self-righteousness, lust for power and corruption. She said Imran Khan should first decide what was his problem foreign conspiracy, real freedom, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or NRO for corruption?

The minister said that the PTI leadership did not want real freedom, but an NRO for what she called their “real corruption”. There was no foreign conspiracy, but they want NRO for their “real conspiracy of foreign funding”, she maintained.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said Imran Khan’s aim was not general election but closure of corruption cases against him.

She said Imran Khan was a sick, defeated mentality and a corrupt person who was a liar, egoist and selfish bigot who was asking for NRO in foreign funding of the PTI.

She said that the CEC had committed no sin, he only announced the verdict in the foreign funding case, which had been pending for 8 years.

The minister opined that Imran Khan was asking the CEC for NRO in foreign funding case.

Lashing out at Imran Khan’s duplicity, she said that on the one hand he had adopted anti-US rhetoric and on the other hand he got services of a firm for lobbying in his favour in US and he held secret meetings with US dignitaries.